Spread Love
to reach out to the community in its diversity, and minister to their needs;
About Us
Welcome to the Darien United Methodist Church
Darien United Methodist Church is a Christian Community expressing its faith through worship and action.
In response to the love of God and the spiritual path of Jesus Christ, we are called to:
Worship Services
Worship services are held every Sunday at 10:30 am, except during the month of August, when they are held at 9 a.m., Pinkney Park, Rowayton. All are invited.
We follow a traditional service. And, worshipers are invited to come casually dressed.
Services include acts of praise, confession, thanksgiving, proclamation and dedication. They also feature the great hymns of our faith. Sermons are biblically based and seek to emphasize spiritual growth, Christian service and the worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sunday School classes for youth and children are offered during services and instructed by Church members.
Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month. In the Methodist tradition, communion is open to all, including the children, and anyone, regardless of denominational affiliation, who wishes to dedicate their life to Jesus, the Christ.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)
Church Leaders
Reverend Laura Galbraith
Pastor
Rev. Laura Galbraith has served as a pastor in the New York Annual Conference for 21 years, having served congregations in Waterbury, Simsbury and Forestville, CT. She holds a Master of Divinity from the Theological School of Drew University, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Saint Joseph and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Sociology from Roberts Wesleyan College.
Prior to attending seminary in 1997, Laura had a career in the administration of programs for abused and delinquent teenagers. Laura remains passionate about ministry to youth and seeks to engage them in ways that meet their unique needs and interests. The diversity of day-to-day life in a congregation is something that continues to energize Laura in her ministry. Pastoral care, planning worship, outreach to the community, Bible study and Sunday School and development of leaders are all areas that interest her in her growth as a pastoral leader.
Laura grew up in a practicing Catholic family in Plainville, Connecticut. When her faith journey led her to conversion to the United Methodist Church in her late twenties, her family shared in her celebration at finding a community of believers where she felt at home. Laura is single and she shares her home with Suzy, her nine year-old black Labrador Retriever and Marty, her fourteen year-old big fluffy cat. Both of her parents are deceased and she has three sisters who live in Georgia, Massachusetts and Connecticut. In her spare time, she helps to transport rescue dogs and cats to their new homes. She also loves the beach, daily walks with Suzy, good fiction or memoir, crocheting for a cause and afternoon drives to new places. She eats mostly vegan but if someone is offering chocolate cake she’s a willing recipient!
Danielle Celaj
Director of the Methodist Family Center Preschool
Danielle Celaj is the Director of the Methodist Family Center Preschool, a vibrant and critical mission of our Church for the community. Danielle comes to us with an impressive background and a wealth of experience in Early Childhood Education. Before coming to MFCP in 2024, she spent the previous 7 years as the Executive Director at Building Blocks in Stamford where she managed a group of 35 employees and over 100 families. Prior to her Executive Director role, she was the Art Director for Building Blocks for 5 years. She has experience as a teacher at both St. Patrick’s and the Daycare Center of New Canaan. Danielle is a natural leader who thrives on a challenge and is passionate about creating a positive work and classroom environment. Danielle continues the preschool’s authentic, nurturing culture, and will maintain the rich traditions that have been a hallmark of MFCP and the Darien United Methodist Church.
Karen Yostpille
Chairperson of Church Council
Karen Yostpille has attended the Darien UMC since 1993, when she and her husband, Bob, moved to town. Her two children were born in Darien and were brought up in the Darien UMC. They both attended the Methodist Family Center Preschool.
Karen worked part-time at the Darien Library for several years. For the past few years, Karen has been working with the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church as the Administrative Assistant for the two District Superintendents. Through her work at the Conference, Karen has gained insight into the “seasons of the church year” and the connectional aspects of United Methodism.
Karen loves the special family that she has gained by being a part of the Darien UMC.
Jon Hunt
Director of Music
Jon Hunt is a native lifelong resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, and was a graduate of Hartt College of Music, where his concentration was organ and voice. Upon graduation, he sang for many years with various choruses in Connecticut and New York City, performing under conductors such as Robert Shaw and Pierre Boulez.
For many years, he was pianist-in-residence at the Empire State Building, playing a variety of holiday and Broadway music each December. In demand as a vocalist, he has sung with many ensembles such as the Bach Aria Group, Connecticut Grand Opera, Westchester/Hudson Opera and the Greenwich Choral Society, serving as tenor soloist on the Choral Society’s tour of Italy. He maintains a teaching studio and frequently accompanies solo recitals.
Jon serves as a regular guest organist at churches in the Greenwich area. In his spare time, Jon enjoys reading and writing, especially keeping up his daily diary. He is also devoted to his affectionate seventeen-pound cat, “The President”.